Why a competitive economy is vital for Tasmania’s future.

We may be a small state at the bottom of the world, but we enjoy a massive reputation globally for the quality of our wine, beef, cheese, salmon, beer and other local products. And one of the best things we can do to keep Tasmanian products at centre-stage, is make sure we’re able to compete with the big players.

A competitive economy means Tasmania can kick it with bigger businesses on the mainland, or in Asia, Europe and America.

Free trade allows a simple cow from a paddock in Bracknell to end up as a top of the range steak in Tokyo, with the dinner bill bringing profits back to Tasmanian businesses and contributing to local workers’ wages.

Shutting up shop and rejecting investment won’t do anything for the long term future of Tasmania or Australia. All it will do is give our international competitors an edge over us and reduce the chances of bringing jobs and prosperity back to local communities. Tasmania’s continued openness is a key element in attracting overseas investment in our products, businesses and people.

The truth is, it would be the little guys who suffer most if we locked down trade and investment, and kept unnecessary red tape. Our dairy farmers would have fewer customers, our salmon farmers would face shrinking markets, our wine-makers would find outlets drying up, our local businesses would have less investment opportunities, and none of us would benefit from the global demand for Australian products that Tasmania is driving.

We simply can’t afford to let that happen – for the common good, back an open Tasmania and give Tassie businesses every opportunity to lead the way!

Tasmania is getting ahead.
Tasmania is 4th in Australia’s economic performance rankings and its population growth is the strongest it has been for 7 years. With the right policy settings, Tassie can make the most of this and climb the rankings.

Tasmania needs to stay open.
One of the only risks the Treasury listed as a threat to the Tasmanian economy in their latest report was increased protectionism, which is what we see when politicians lock down free trade and stop overseas investment.

Tasmania means business.
There are more than 37,000 small businesses in Tasmania. They rely on their ability to sell to and supply big businesses, other parts of Australia, and the rest of the world. Tasmania needs to stay competitive for our small businesses to thrive.

Share your local
success story.

Share your favourite Tassie business success story and let Canberra know what you think we need to do to keep the Tasmanian economy growing. Let’s spread the word that Tasmania is open for business, open for investment and open for growth!